Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In fairness, I trained him them well. The programme includes an initiative on a new start for working parents. It relates to parents who are self-employed. Our system does not appear to assist people who are self-employed, including in the case of maternity benefit. This needs to be examined throughout Europe. For example, if a woman has a baby before 1 April, she is entitled to claim maternity benefit, but if it is after 1 April she has to wait until the following year to claim maternity benefit. We want people working; we want them to set up new companies and run good businesses. However, we put all manner of obstacles in their way, especially if they are self-employed. This needs to be looked at from a European point of view. A serious disadvantage is imposed on people, especially people who are self-employed. This is something that certainly should be taken up. It applies in cases involving farmers whose wives decide to start up a business. They are being seriously disadvantaged in this regard. That is one area we need to seriously consider. We need to have a broad policy throughout Europe for people who are self-employed to ensure they can stay in the workplace and keep their businesses going while they are on maternity leave.